At the shop, Valeria unpacked boxes of bearings, decks, and wheels.
“Those ones are nice,” said Emilio, nodding as Valeria pulled out a box of wheels. “They’re awesome for riding in rainy conditions.”
“Cool,” said Valeria. She only had one set of all-purpose wheels. They were fine most of the time, but if the roads got wet, slipping became a major problem.
The door jingled as a man and a woman walked in.
Emilio jumped up. “Can I help you?”
The guy — in his forties, wearing a boarding T-shirt — smiled. “I’m Ned Turner,” he said. “I’m running the downhill comp this weekend — have you heard about it?”
Emilio nodded to the event poster on the wall. “Of course,” he said. “We can’t wait.”
“Cool,” said Ned. “I wonder if you could help me out. Some of my people got delayed in New Zealand. Do you know some locals who could help set up hay bales and flags for the course?”
Valeria hardly noticed the conversation between Emilio and Ned. She couldn’t stop staring at the woman who had entered with Ned and was now checking out the helmets by the door. It was Ana Torres!
Valeria walked over to Ana. “Hi, um, can I help you find anything?” she asked.
“Hi,” said Ana. “Actually, I need some rain wheels. I forgot mine in New Zealand.”
“Sure. They’re over here,” said Valeria. “I just unpacked some new ones.”
They walked over to the counter. Valeria took a deep breath. She couldn’t believe she was helping Ana Torres! “Why were you in New Zealand?” she asked.
“For the World Longboarding Championship,” Ana said.
Duh! thought Valeria. I knew that. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own head, I haven’t even been watching comp clips the last few weeks.
“Cool. How did you do?” Valeria was sure Ana had won. Ana Torres always won.
Ana shook her head and rolled her eyes. “I crashed and burned big time.”
“Oh,” said Valeria, surprised.
“It’s okay,” said Ana. “It happens! I lost my focus and tried to cut a corner too sharply. I ended up getting fourth. Kylie Jenkins won. It’s all good.”
Valeria pulled out two different sets of rain wheels from behind the counter.
Ana picked the yellow ones. “These are perfect.” She paused, then looked at Valeria. “Hey, do you board?” she asked.
“Um, yeah,” Valeria said. “I mean, I did, but then I broke my wrist. I went out the other day and crashed. I think I lost it.” She looked at the floor.
“I totally get it,” said Ana. “I’ve been there many times.”
“Really?” asked Valeria. “Like you thought maybe you should quit?”
Ana laughed. “Well, yeah. I think we all feel that way about things we do. Pressure to live up to what we used to be, injuries, new people coming up the ranks who seem really good — you name it.”
Just then, Emilio and Ned came over.
“You’re making my baby sister’s day!” said Emilio. “You’re her idol.”
Valeria blushed.
“Did she tell you that she won the U14 girls division the last two years?” he asked.
“Really?” said Ana. “That’s impressive.”
“Are you going to make it three years in a row?” asked Ned.
Valeria felt uncomfortable. “I haven’t signed up yet.”
Ana came to the rescue. “Why don’t you help set up tomorrow?” she asked. “Scope out the course?”
Valeria jumped at the chance to be around Ana again. “That sounds great!” she said. It doesn’t mean I have to race, she thought. I can just help set up.
“Fantastic!” said Ana. “Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Chapter Eight
HELPING ANA
“Are you ready?” asked Emilio the next morning. “I said we’d be there by eight.”
Valeria headed for Emilio’s car. It’s so cool I get to be around Ana today, she thought.
